## Step-by-Step Instructions for Finding Your Exam Time The SDSU Office of the Registrar publishes the final exam schedule online for each fall and spring semester. Follow these steps to locate your specific exam times: ### Step 1: Access the SDSU Office of the Registrar Website Navigate to the official SDSU Office of the Registrar website. Look for the "Academic Calendar" or "Final Exam Schedule" link for the current semester. Ensure you are looking at the correct term, as schedules change every semester. ### Step 2: Retrieve Your Class Details Log into your my.SDSU account to view your official class schedule. Make a list of each class, noting whether it is classified as a day class, an evening class, or a special session.
### Step 3: Locate the Correct Exam Matrix SDSU divides its final exam schedules into distinct categories. You will need to identify which category fits each of your classes: * **Day Classes:** Standard classes that meet during the day (typically starting before 4:00 PM). * **Evening Classes:** Classes that meet once or twice a week starting at or after 4:00 PM. * **Common Finals:** Certain multi-section courses (such as specific math, chemistry, or foreign language classes) hold their exams at a unified time, regardless of when the individual sections meet. ### Step 4: Cross-Reference Days and Times For standard day classes, locate the grid on the registrar's page. Find the column that matches your class meeting days (such as MWF, MW, or TTH) and scan down to find the row corresponding to your class start time. The intersection of the column and row will display the date and time block for your final exam. ## Understanding Common Exceptions Not all classes fit neatly into the standard day or evening matrices. Be aware of these common exceptions when determining your exam times:
* **Online and Hybrid Courses:** Fully online (asynchronous) courses often conduct exams over a window of days or during a specific online block. Refer to your syllabus or contact your instructor to confirm how the exam will be administered. * **Once-a-Week Classes:** Classes that meet only once per week usually hold their final exams during their regular meeting day and time, but you should verify this on the official schedule. * **Laboratories and Activity Courses:** Lab sections often do not have a separate final exam during finals week, or they hold their exams during the last week of regular classes. Check your lab syllabus for clarification. ## How to Resolve Exam Conflicts Occasionally, students find themselves with scheduling conflicts during finals week. SDSU policy outlines how to handle these situations: * **Direct Conflicts:** If you have two exams scheduled at the exact same time, contact both instructors as early in the semester as possible to arrange a makeup exam. * **Multiple Exams on One Day:** If you have three or more exams scheduled on the same calendar day, you may request an adjustment. Typically, the instructor of the course with the lowest enrollment or the middle exam is expected to accommodate a reschedule, but you must initiate this discussion weeks before finals begin.
## Tips for Verifying Your Schedule Because errors can occur when self-interpreting the exam matrix, always double-check your findings: * **Consult Your Instructor:** The course syllabus is the contract for the class. If the syllabus date differs from the registrar's schedule, clarify the discrepancy with your professor immediately. * **Monitor my.SDSU:** As finals week approaches, individual exam schedules may populate directly within your my.SDSU student portal. * **Confirm the Location:** Final exams are not always held in your regular classroom. Check the registrar's schedule or your instructor's announcements for room assignments, especially for common finals.
